One possibility is using cryptographic keys, or a combination of long random numbers

WASHINGTONThe administration of President Donald Trump is exploring ways to replace the Social Security number with a safer system based on modern technology in the wake of the Equifax Inc. EFX -0.58% hack, the White House cybersecurity czar said Tuesday.

Rob Joyce, the White Houses cybersecurity coordinator, said one possibility is using cryptographic keys, or a combination of long random numbers, to unlock personal data. The merit of such numbers is that they could be revoked once they are found to be compromised, he said.

I feel very strongly that the Social Security number has outlived its usefulness, Mr. Joyce said at a cybersecurity conference hosted by the Washington Post. Its a flawed system. If you think about it, every time we use the Social Security number, we put it at risk. He described the current system as untenable, noting that his own Social Security number has been compromised at least four times.

Weve got a modern digital age. Weve got to find a way to use that modern cryptographic identifier to help us drive down that risk, Mr. Joyce said, adding he has asked various departments and federal agencies to submit ideas. He didnt provide a schedule for further policy steps.

Woo Hoo! I just got my 2018 Medicare booklet and they’re gonna issue new member ID cards without SS numbers on them. Isn’t that awesome? Now that everybody and their friggin’ brother already have my SS number. Horse, barn door. Just sayin’. Fidiots.

Would think everybody ought to get their own private key, with the government only having public keys. Thus if someone hacked a government server they would just get public keys and not be able to impersonate anyone.

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